One viewer moaned online: “Corrie’s casting department are thick, employing an actor who played a regular character, then to reintroduce him.”

Stuart Wolfenden as Greig Hodge in Coronation Street (Image: ITV)

Another added: “Casey is back as someone else. Did they think we wouldn’t notice?”

The Rochdale-born actor has also appeared in Heartbeat, Clocking Off and Emmerdale.

Emmerdale veteran Paula Tilbrook is bowing out of the soap – 21 years after signing up to play village gossip Betty Eagleton for three episodes. The 85-year-old actress has filmed her final scene and will be seen leaving next month. Paula, who has also appeared in Coronation Street, was introduced to the rural soap as an old flame of Seth Armstrong. She said: “I have been at Emmerdale for 21 years and I’ve loved every moment. It is nice to go out on a high.”